PASADENA, Texas – Pasadena police are investigating a the death of a woman whose car was crushed beneath an 18-wheeler in a chain reaction accident Monday morning on Highway 225 westbound near Preston Road.
The name of the deceased driver has not been released. According to accident investigators, several empty, plastic containers blew off a trailer being towed by a small pickup truck traveling in front of her. When the driver of the pickup pulled off the road to try to retrieve the containers, the woman slowed her car.
The driver of a semi-tractor trailer behind her apparently didn't see her brake, and slammed into her car and rolled up on top of it. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
While rescue crews cut through the wreckage to get to her body, police closed Highway 225 at 9 a.m. It reopened about six hours later.
"We're still investigating the incident to see if and when any charges will be filed," said Pasadena police spokesman Vance Mitchell.
Mitchell said the driver of the big rig suffered injuries to his right arm. He was treated at a Pasadena hospital and released.
The driver of the pickup truck wasn't injured.